KATHMANDU, Nepal – A surge of support for Nepal's former King Gyanendra Shah was evident on Sunday as thousands of his loyalists greeted him upon his return to Kathmandu, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the restoration of Hinduism as the state religion.
An estimated 10,000 supporters thronged the entrance of Tribhuvan International Airport, causing significant disruption as passengers were forced to walk to and from the terminal. Chants of "Vacate the royal palace for the king," "Come back king, save the country," and "Long live our beloved king. We want monarchy" echoed through the crowd.
The demonstration, though passionate, remained peaceful as hundreds of riot police prevented protestors from entering the airport premises.
Gyanendra Shah's arrival followed a tour of western Nepal, reigniting the debate over the country's current political structure. The monarchy was abolished in 2008, two years after massive street protests forced Gyanendra to relinquish his authoritarian rule. He subsequently left the Royal Palace to live as a private citizen.
However, disillusionment with the republican system has grown among many Nepalis. They cite political instability, a struggling economy, and rampant corruption as reasons for their dissatisfaction. Since the monarchy's abolition, Nepal has witnessed 13 different governments, highlighting the nation's ongoing political turmoil.
"We are here to give the king our full support and to rally behind him all the way to reinstating him in the royal throne," stated Thir Bahadur Bhandari, 72, reflecting the sentiment of many rally participants who hope for a change to halt the country's perceived decline.
Notably, some individuals who participated in the 2006 protests against the king have now reversed their stance. Kulraj Shrestha, a 50-year-old carpenter, expressed his regret for supporting the monarchy's abolition, citing pervasive corruption and political inaction. "I was in the protests that took away monarchy hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken and the nation has further plunged so I have changed my mind," he explained.
Gyanendra Shah has yet to publicly address the calls for his return to power. While support for the former king appears to be growing, the immediate prospect of a monarchical restoration remains uncertain.
Gyanendra ascended to the throne in 2002 after a massacre within the royal family. Initially ruling as a constitutional monarch, he seized absolute power in 2005, dissolving parliament, imprisoning political opponents, and imposing a state of emergency.
The current resurgence of monarchist sentiment underscores the challenges facing Nepal's fledgling republic as it grapples with political and economic instability.
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